Ford Explorer Turn Signal Assembly

Common Ford Explorer Turn Signal Assembly Problems and Their Causes

Some countries in the Southeast Asian region are known for having drivers who use their hands and feet to warn other drivers of the direction their vehicles will take. Fortunately, you wouldn't have to use your limbs as signals because your Ford Explorer is equipped with a reliable turn signal assembly. The bad news is that no matter how efficient your vehicle's turn signals are, they will eventually deteriorate and fail at some point. But don't fret! You can actually troubleshoot turn signal assembly problems before they become totally worse. Here are the most common signs of Ford Explorer turn signal assembly failure that you need to watch out for:

Foggy turn signals

Does your turn signal assembly's light beam seem darker than usual? This may be a sign that your turn signals are becoming cloudy or hazy. Many factors can cause this turn signal assembly problem, and one of them is a faulty light bulb. If your Ford Explorer turn signal assembly uses a regular halogen bulb, it has a higher probability of failing after just one year. Since a halogen bulb produces more heat compared to other light sources, its life span is relatively shorter. If you already checked your turn signal's bulb and it turned out to be fine, you may want to check its attachment to the socket. Sometimes, a loose bulb can also make the turn signal's light beam fade. In this case, tightening the bulb in place is enough to solve the problem. But for a damaged light bulb, replacement is the only solution. Another possible cause is your vehicle's turn signal cover or lens. Because it is usually made of plastic, the turn signal lens tends to become yellowish after some time. Its dinginess is often caused by heat, humidity, and salt from the environment. You can remove this cloudy layer using the restoration kits sold online. But if you have the resources, you can opt to replace the turn signal cover.

Abnormal blink rate

It is normal for your vehicle's turn signals to blink. However, if the blinking becomes too fast, too slow, or if there's no blinking at all, your turn signal assembly's flasher might be in trouble. A burnt or blown-up fuse as well as a busted relay can cause the flasher to malfunction. In this case, you can just replace these broken parts to solve the problem. But if all these components are working properly, the flasher itself might be the problem. When a flasher goes bad, the only option is to replace it. Replacement flashers for your vehicle's turn signal assembly are actually cheap. Plus, they are very easy to install. The process of removing the old unit and installing the new one will only take an hour or less to finish.

Other troubleshooting tips

If your Ford Explorer turn signal assembly is not working, you may also inspect the other turn signal assembly parts for damage. These include the switch, bulb sockets, and wiring harness. You also need to check the main source of power, which is the battery, just to make sure that it is supplying enough electricity to make the turn signals work.

Ford Explorer Turn Signal Assembly Available Years

If your Ford Explorer's brake lights tell your fellow travelers of your stop-and-go movements, your vehicle's turn signals inform them whether you'll go right or left. You may consider the turn signal assembly's task trivial, but in reality, this reduces your chances of getting into a fatal accident due to swerving without warning. Since your own safety depends on this, you cannot afford to let your Ford Explorer turn signal assembly to deteriorate and fail rapidly. To help you prolong the service life of your vehicle's turn signals, here are a couple of maintenance tips:

Keep the turn signal assembly moisture-free.

Aside from overheating, water or moisture inside the turn signal assembly is another reason for light bulb failure. It can also cause the sockets to fail and the electrical connections to have short circuits. To avoid having all these problems, you need to weather-proof your Ford Explorer turn signal assembly. Water from the rain or from frequent car washing can easily seep through broken or loosely attached turn signal lenses. Because of this, you need to make sure that the lenses are damage-free, and that they are tightly sealed. Sealing agents that are used for securing the headlights can also be used for the turn signal covers. If you think the sealing agents or epoxies are not enough to safeguard the lenses, just replace the turn signal covers with new ones.

Clean the turn signal assembly.

The brightness of your turn signal's light beams can be maintained through regular cleaning and polishing. If possible, clean both the inside and outside portions of the turn signal assembly. Washing and wiping the covers can help prevent foggy or dingy turn signals. Cleaning the interior, on the other hand, can keep the bulbs, sockets, and electrical connections in great shape. If you want to maintain the smooth and continuous flow of electricity to the turn signals, you need to remove the unwanted road dirt and debris from the hard-to-reach areas of the sockets and wiring harness. Just make sure that these electrical components will stay dry because water or moisture can cause them to malfunction or fail.

Inspect the turn signal assembly components for damage.

Physical damage can result in your Ford Explorer turn signal assembly's total breakdown. To prevent this from happening, make it a habit to examine all the parts of your vehicle's turn signal assembly for damage. Always check the bulbs' efficiency in producing light beams and secure their attachment to the sockets. You also need to check for burnt of blown-up fuses, defective relays, and busted switch. Do not forget to check the flasher since it is the one responsible for making the turn signals blink. If any of these parts is damaged, replace it immediately.